About Selaginella cinerascens A.A.Eaton
Selaginella cinerascens A.A.Eaton is a species of spikemoss with the common names mesa spikemoss, gray spikemoss, and ashy spikemoss. It is native to Baja California, and also grows in several locations just north of the international border in San Diego County, California. It grows in dry habitats, most often on clay soil, and can be found in both open areas and in shaded spots beneath larger plants. This lycophyte grows as mats of spreading, forking stems that reach up to 18 centimeters in length. The plant is often gray or brown in color, forming a dull-colored carpet over its growing substrate. Its leaves are linear or lance-shaped, measure 1 to 3 millimeters long, and have no bristles at their tips. New or moist leaves of this species are green. The leaves are either flattened against the stem, or extend out only a small distance from the stem. The strobili produced at the leaf bases are yellow, and grow to no more than 4 to 5 millimeters long.
